Alli, a lower dose of the prescription drug Orlistat, hit the over-the-counter market and has been utilized for weight loss since 2007. Even though the Food and Drug Administration has approved Alli for weight loss, there are still many short-term and long-term side effects that can occur. Even though Alli can be bought without a prescription, you need to treat Alli just as you would a prescription medication.
How Alli Works
Alli works by inhibiting fat to be digested within your body. GlaxoSmithKline, the company distributing Alli, emphasizes that Alli blocks 25 percent of the fat you eat from being absorbed while it is passed throughout your bowels. Alli blocks some of the enzymes in your gastrointestinal tract to prevent the absorption of fats. You take Alli capsules three times daily with a low-fat meal.
Greasy, Loose Stools
One of the most immediate side effects that you may have with Alli that can progress into a long-term side effect is oily or fatty stools called steatorrhea, which means having excessive fat within your stools. Gas may also be accompanied with oily discharges on your underwear. In addition, bowel movements may happen more frequently and there can be an inability to control your bowel movements.
Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies
Alli causes the malabsorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, causing a possible deficiency in your body. These vitamins are collected within the fat cells in your body for storage until they are needed for growth and repair. A variety of foods and a multivitamin may be needed when using Alli to help prevent vitamin deficiency and possible side effects such as night blindness, softening or weakening of the bones, and neurological problems caused by deficiencies.
Possible Long-Term Side Effects
Donald Hensrud, M.D., a preventive medicine and nutrition specialist at Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, says that in June 2009, the FDA received many reports of liver injury with people using orlistat and began a safety review. But as of June 2010, the FDA had no definite association between orlistat and liver injury. However, if you feel fatigued, have jaundice or notice that your urine is brown, contact your physician immediately, as these are signs of liver damage, warns Dr. Hensrud.
